Graphics Cards

[RYANMILLER36]

Me and my mom's computers come with integrated Nvidia 6150 SE/LE video cards. So we are thinking about getting a nice cheap (around $50) PCI graphic card for her PC. We see quite a few $50 512mb on tigerdirect and newegg. This is her computer http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/12132708-12133156-12133158-12133158-12133158-12932758-78159005.html, the HP a1730n. It is upgraded to 3GB of RAM. Do you PC gurus think these cards would be too much to handle for this PC?

[MichaelVash7886]

The only question is how big is her computer's power supply? However, if you are going to get a card you'd want one that uses the PCI express slot if not PCI Express 2.0. It really depends on what she is doing with the computer. If she is just doing average stuff you wouldn't really need one. You'd probably have to spend more than 50 to get one that would make a big difference. Probably around $100.

[RYANMILLER36]

Yeah, I think it's going to be a PCI express one. I don't know if this is why, it's what we are thinking, because the games I play, I put them on her PC, but the graphics are really laggy all the way on low. I hope I don't sound stupid and we are way off, but I think because it's an integrated one it's slow.

[jezzell19]

Good question Ryan. I've been looking to get an upgrade for an HP desktop I bought 5 or so years ago. I use a pen tablet & Corel to paint, etc. and I can't use it on my desktop due to graphical limitations. I'll be curious to see replies (there are just so damned many cards out there now for $100 or less).

[RYANMILLER36]

Thanks Jezz. Yeah, for the internet and non-game programs it's fine. But when I get in games it lags like hell. Same with my internet on that PC for some reason. On mine the internet is flawless when I'm playing. Yeah there are a boatload on new egg and tigerdirect, mainly newegg. I also saw a few 1GB one for around $50. PCI Express. Oh, and I know hot to install PCI cards, so we are all set there. Had to install my TV Tuner through PCI.

[MichaelVash7886]

The card's not slow it's just old. But like I say, the main thing I gotta know is power supply wattage.

Jezzell if you supply your specs I may be able to help you.

[RYANMILLER36]

300W.

[MichaelVash7886]

Yeah, that's gonna have to be upgraded as well to run a better card.

[fishki]

you can go here and fill in all the info and figure you power needs

http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

[RYANMILLER36]

Well, I got the 9400 GT from tigerdirect for $45. It has 1gb of DDR2 Ram and didn't need a PSU upgrade (in my mom's PC) so that's where it is. You can bag on it all you want, but so far I'm very very impressed with it. Before I only got 7 fps in the sims 3 on the lowest settings, now I get 50-60 in it with all settings maxed. I can run Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 maxed, it looks great and runs great, but those i don't think have built in fps counters and I don't hav fraps on here. And now I can run FSX alot higher with anywhere from 20-40. Which 20 is double what I used to get. So for $45, I'm a very happy camper.